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NCBA backs expanded managed grazing on CRP acres

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has updated its policy on the Conservation Reserve Program. 

Justin Robbins, an Iowa cattle producer, says members want CRP that allows managed grazing.

“It just seems like around our part of the world, there’s just not a lot of pasture available. And for, you know, if we’re trying to get the next generation to come in, like my son or or whomever, it’s just hard to get your hands on pasture.”

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association presented the policy during NCBA’s summer meeting.

Craig Bieber, a cattle producer from South Dakota, says expanded CRP grazing would have a greater impact on a U.S. herd rebuild other than just relying on western federal grazing lands, where forage can be limited, even on larger acreage.

“A lot of those acres are 25 acres plus to the cow where the acres we’re talking about are probably in the eastern half of the United States and there we’re talking probably on average, you know, four to six acres to the cow.”

Both producers say this new policy could be used by NCBA in discussions with the Trump administration and other federal policymakers.

Hear Brownfield’s interview with Justin Robbins.

Hear Brownfield’s interview with Craig Bieber.